Strategic Sales Manager
Location: US Remote - Texas
Salary Range: 111,000.00 to 139,000.00
About SKF:
SKF, reducing friction since 1907, re-imagining rotation for a better tomorrow!
SKF is an industry-leading manufacturer that has been a cornerstone in industrial life. Wherever there are machines or products in motion, SKF bearings are there to reduce friction. SKF drives the industries that support our way of life, powers the machines that put food on the table, and even helps explore the cosmos.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. SKF is on pace to decarbonize all its production facilities by 2030.
We’re guided by our SKF values. Collaboration is critical to the success of our colleagues, partners, and customers. Curiosity and Courage provide a foundation for innovation and advancement. And we do this work out of Care for our people, customers, communities, and the planet.
We’re a company committed to a culture of belonging, where all our people are encouraged to be themselves and grow their careers in an equitable environment.
Learn about SKF at www.skf.com.
Position Summary
The Strategic Sales Manager (SSM) is a field-based sales role responsible for managing large, strategic OEM accounts across fluid power, electric motor, and industrial gearbox markets. The role ensures a world-class customer experience and drives sustainable revenue and profit growth while representing SKF across multiple customer locations globally. The SSM owns account strategy, leads customer engagement, and leverages voice of the customer insights to support product development and strategic planning.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and grow strategic OEM accounts across assigned portfolio
- Review, negotiate, and manage customer agreements
- Mitigate business risks related to inventory, forecasting, and open orders
- Deliver consistent year-over-year revenue and profit growth
- Develop and manage a robust sales pipeline and drive new customer acquisition
- Identify and convert growth opportunities tied to data center and OEM demand
- Capture and leverage Voice of Customer (VOC) insights to drive business decisions
- Track and report key business metrics (revenue, margin, forecast accuracy, DSO, pipeline)
- Support strategic planning with customer, competitor, and market insights
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead account strategy and influence cross-functional teams without formal authority
- Demonstrate accountability, prioritization, and performance management across portfolio
Customer / Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and sustain strong relationships with key customer stakeholders
- Maintain world-class customer experience across all interactions
- Present technical and commercial solutions to customers
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with engineering, business development, quality, customer service, accounting, and demand chain teams
- Align priorities between SKF sales, manufacturing, and customers
Operational Excellence
- Monitor performance metrics and implement corrective actions to meet business plans
- Maintain strong business management practices across assigned portfolio
- Drive process improvements and propose new solutions
Strategic Communication (if applicable)
- Communicate Voice of Customer insights across the organization
- Provide reporting on pipeline, financials, and market insights to leadership
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree (Engineering preferred)
Minimum 5+ years in sales, application engineering, business development, or sales management in industrial products
Strong knowledge of industrial markets and applications - Ability to communicate technical and financial concepts effectively
Other Requirements:
- Proven track record of sales success
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- High business acumen and accountability
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Self-starter with strong teamwork orientation
Travel Requirements
Approximately 50% domestic with potential for international travel
What You’ll Love About SKF:
Rest and Relaxation. Enjoy a generous PTO policy and 13 paid holidays.
Work/Life Integration. SKF supports work/life integration, home, family, community, personal well-being and health.
Diversity in the Workplace. At SKF, we strive to embed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything we do. By developing a culture of belonging, our people can flourish; leading to an inclusive, equitable environment that promotes leadership, engagement and innovation.
Best in Class Benefits. SKF cares about the wellbeing of our employees. Comprehensive healthcare options to fit your needs and opt out payment. Added benefits include company paid life insurance, STD, LTD. Supplemental benefits include critical illness coverage, tuition reimbursement, employee discount programs, and much more!
Bonus. SKF offers STVS (Short Term Variable Salary) or Sales Incentive based on company performance and at the discretion of management.
Invest in your Future. Participate in our 401K program that boasts a 10% employer contribution: 100% match up to 5% of your elected contribution (100% Vested) plus an additional 5% company contribution.
